The royal road to Parthi

We often plan a great deal for the future. Sometimes things go according to plan. At other times, God has other plans for us. My limited experience has taught me that God’s delays are not His denials.

The year 1997 was a turning point in my life. I had completed my graduation from Osmania University in Hyderabad and had appeared for several MBA entrance examinations. My mother insisted that I should also apply to Sathya Sai Baba’s college at Puttaparthi. We were devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba and did not know much about Sathya Sai Baba. I applied to the Institute in order to please my mother. I was confident of getting admitted to one of the other colleges. However, that was not to be. Even though I got very good ranks in the entrance exams of many prestigious MBA colleges, I did not make it to the final list. Man proposes, but God disposes. As one door after the other closed, I fervently prayed for some good news. Finally, only one option remained- the royal path to Prasanthi Nilayam. In retrospect, this has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Love and accept His unpredictability

One evening in 1998, my parents and my brother were blessed with an interview. As we were coming out of the interview room, Swami invited my parents to attend a music program in the college auditorium. My parents had to travel back home that evening and so we decided to skip the music program. They had to catch a train at Dharmavaram which was 40 minutes away by bus from Prasanthi Nilayam.

As we packed and prepared to leave, there was a knock at the door. Swami had sent word through a senior brother asking us to attend the music program. We dropped everything and reached the college auditorium within minutes to attend the program. I was getting tense thinking we will miss the train. I went out and booked a taxi to Dharmavaram. I rushed to the room, quickly packed the luggage and took the taxi to the college gate. I waited for the program to get over so that I could quickly transport my parents and brother to the railway station. The program concluded and Swami went back to the mandir after Arati. I managed to get my parents and brother into the taxi. We had only 20 minutes remaining and Dharmavaram was 40 minutes away. Only a miracle could help them catch the train I thought, as I sent them on their way. There were no mobile phones and I did not know if they had made it. The following morning, I was informed of a phone call. With trepidation I ran towards the office. I was relieved when I heard my mother’s voice. The train was still at the station when they had arrived. Swami’s ways are unique. Why do we question His decision? “Why don’t you just surrender? Why do you hesitate?” Swami had once asked me.

Whatever happens is for our good

It was the academic year 1998-99. Swami was travelling from Whitefield to Prasanthi Nilayam. I was blessed to be among a group of students traveling with Him. Swami made a stop at Muddenahalli Campus as the teachers of the Institution had fervently prayed to Him for His presence and blessings. Once we reached the campus, Swami Himself took us around for a stroll to show us the Mandir and the adjoining facilities. He even took us around the Ganesh Mandir. Once the tour was over, Swami asked us to go and have our meals.

All the students were taken to a hall where a large rectangular table was arranged. As the students sat, I realized that there was one seat short and I was left standing. As I stood there not knowing what to do, Swami came inside and seeing me standing, appeared to get a bit annoyed (at least I thought so). The teachers there immediately took me to another room where another similar table was arranged. I stood there all alone, upset with myself, thinking that Swami was angry with me.

Very soon, Swami walked in accompanied with elderly devotees. These included members of the Central Trust, senior devotees and the heads of the Muddenahalli Campus. I froze when I realized that I would be seated at the table with Swami and the elders. I walked over to the extreme corner of the table. Upon Swami’s instructions, all the elders and I sat down. I was sitting all alone in one corner. Swami walked around for a few seconds and then finally took His seat right next to me. Until then, I was thinking that Swami was angry with me and then He came and sat next to me. I was absolutely thrilled. What a blessing it was. Mysterious indeed are the ways of our Lord.

Swami says whatever happens, happens for our good. Let us have confidence in His words and leave our destinies in His hands. He will take care of us.

Arun Kumar Ayyappan MBA, PhD (Risk Management), 1997 – 2004, Prasanthi Nilayam. Until recently, he was working with Pegasystems India Worldwide Ltd as a Principal Product Designer. He takes part in all Samithi activities and involved with the Covid Kitchen at Dairy Farm Road.